The Weehawken Police Department has begun a major restructuring of both personnel and technology. This is necessary because Deputy Chief of Operations Jeff Fulcher is set to retire in March, and because the department’s less-than-current technological systems were breached by a former police sergeant who pleaded guilty to stealing $700,000 in township funds. In addition, according to Director of Public Safety Jeff Welz, the department has received several mandates from the state attorney general to update their administrative technology.
“In this business you can never rest on your laurels,” Mayor Richard Turner said. “If you don’t stay moving forward, you’ll fall behind.”
The personnel restructuring will involve promoting certain members of the Police Department, some of whom were selected specifically for their technological prowess.
“The reorganization of the Police Department is a major step toward moving into the modern technology age,” Township Manager James Marchetti said. Marchetti, along with the new Deputy Chief of Administration and former Sgt. Ignacio “Iggy” Mitolo, will use their technological expertise to oversee and ensure the department receives the proper updates and subsequent training.
“The reorganization of the Police Department is a major step toward moving into the modern technology age.” –James Marchetti
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Former Deputy Chief of Administration William McLellan filled Fulcher’s position on Thursday as Mitolo took over for McLellan. Fulcher will stay on until March to ensure a smooth transition and help to find a replacement for Mitolo in the detective bureau.
Technological overhaul
“Government often has a hard time keeping up with computer technology because it’s so darned expensive,” Turner said. He reported that about a week ago, the server for the department’s records bureau crashed, though it was quite new. The department only began using a computer dispatch system three years ago, and only two years ago they were still typewriting police reports.
“Before that, it was a manual system,” Welz said. “Our new technology will provide us with a better checks and balance system, better crime-tracking, camera surveillance in our more desolate areas, a fully upgraded records bureau, and superior training.”
Marchetti plans to encourage those who work for the town to become certified in various departments in order to “enrich their abilities and allow for in-house hiring rather than having to seek outsiders.”
More with less
In three years, the Police Department has reduced its staff from 59 to 38. However, the department has kept up patrol numbers, and the cutbacks were made without layoffs or demotions, according to Welz.
“Everything had to be streamlined, especially when we realized the money wasn’t going to come through from Trenton,” Turner said.
Despite the poor economy, lack of technology, and staff reduction, the town has seen a steady decrease in crime since the prior reorganization in 1994. That year, 1,104 crimes were reported, and for the past two years in a row, the number of crimes has held steady at 286; marking a 74 percent reduction in overall crime.
Violent crime incidents (those involving the physical threat of violence) have dropped from 79 to 20, and current crime levels are lower than they were in the early 1960s when crime statistics were first recorded.
“It’s a phenomenal accomplishment,” Fulcher said. “I’m especially proud of everybody for doing more with less, especially during this past year when times have been so trying economically.”
Another plan for the department is to hire civilian dispatchers to replace the remaining four out of five spots currently held by officers. Civilian dispatchers must be certified through a national curriculum and go through background checks, but they are paid less and require less training than police officers. Their hiring would allow for increased patrols.
“A lot of towns hire civilians for this role,” Marchetti said. “It allows us to put another officer on duty on the street.”
Farewell to Fulcher
Fulcher had planned to retire after 30 years of service, but after the incident broke with Police Sgt. Patrick Cannon and the theft of money, Fulcher was asked to stay to assist with the investigation. A year later, it’s been resolved – Sgt. Cannon pleaded guilty on Dec. 22, 2011.
“It’s been a remarkable time here,” he said. “I’ve had tremendous cooperation from our mayor, our council, our director of public safety, and our officers. I am very proud, and very happy.”
Welz has known Fulcher for around 50 years. “I’m very sad to see Jeff leave; he’s like a brother to me,” he said. “But after 31 years he deserves his retirement.”
According to Welz, Mitolo is more than qualified for his new role. He was commended by the Federal Bureau of Investigations after assisting in two bank robbery arrests that wound up with convictions, and he is the former president of the Police Benevolent Association.
Mitolo plans to institute an innovative training program and believes in the importance of continuing education within the department.
“I’m honored and excited,” Mitolo said. “I’m looking forward to serving our residents, and to working alongside what I consider to be the hardest working police officers in the state of New Jersey.”
Gennarose Pope may be reached at gpope@hudsonreporter.com